© The contents of this finding aid are the copyright of the University of Chicago Library
© 2008 University of Chicago Library
Series II contains administrative records. This material is restricted for 30 years.
Series VII contains financial records. This material is restricted for 50 years.
Series IX includes film reels. Due to the lack of listening access copies for recordings, researchers will need to consult with staff before using audio and visual material.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Crossroads International Student Center. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
The Crossroads International Student Center, also known simply as "Crossroads," was a private, non-profit organization located in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. Founded in 1951 by members of the Inter-Cultural Association, Crossroads was first oriented towards international service and activities for Christian (particularly Roman Catholic) students at the University of Chicago, but evolved to become "an international student center dedicated to intercultural understanding and friendship...open to students of all ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds." Activities at the center included English and foreign language classes, lectures, and social events. The center's house at 5621 South Blackstone Avenue offered student lounges, a library, and study space.
Crossroads was governed by community members who acted in an advisory capacity, and assisted with the administration of the center. While Crossroads was independent of the University of Chicago, it maintained ties to the university's International House and Office of International Affairs.
In 1995, the Board of Directors voted to close Crossroads due to a decline in funding to support the center's operations.
Series I: Correspondence, is organized by geographic region and divided into three subseries: Illinois, United States and International. This series contains the correspondence amongst Crossroads administrators, alumni and leaders of similar organizations. Folders 1 and 10 in box 6 each contain a small index of select correspondence.
Series II: Administration, is organized chronologically and contains the administrative files of Crossroads. This series includes reports, internal newsletters, Council meeting minutes and membership information.
Series III: Programming, is also organized chronologically and contains materials relating to the activities of Crossroads. Some of the activities included in this series are Christmas parties, spring festival, cooking demonstrations, horseback riding, apple picking, English classes, and other foreign language classes. The “Activities” files in this series contain printed activity sheets, hand made signage promoting events, sign up sheets, and planning information for the various activities.
Series IV: Publicity, is organized alphabetically. This series contains newspaper clippings concerning Crossroads, media contact information, publication deadlines, newsletters, pamphlets, and printing samples.
Series V: Inter-Organizational Relations, is organized alphabetically and contains information on groups and institutions that worked with Crossroads. These groups are mostly located in the Chicago area, and focus on outreach to international students. The folder headings either refer to the name of the specific organization, like the “Japanese Catholic Students Association,” or they refer to the geographic area of focus for multiple organizations, such as “Philippines.”
Series VI, Facilities, is organized alphabetically and contains materials relating to the maintenance and use of Crossroads facilities.
Series VII, Fundraising and Finance, is organized chronologically and contains the financial materials of Crossroads. Included in this series are budgets, fundraising campaign material, and donation information.
Series VIII, Reference, is organized alphabetically and contains small informational files on a variety of subjects such as "Health care" or "Immigration and Naturalization."
Series IX, Audio-Visual, Memorabilia, and Organizational History, is organized by type of material. This series includes audio and visual recordings of Crossroads functions, such as the blessing of the Crossroad house and the 1958 Crossroads picnic. This series also contains photographs of Crossroads activities as well as information on Crossroads’ organization history, told through the “Crossroads Story” presentation notes and slides. Photo albums from 1955-1966 can be found in oversized boxes 50-51. Oversized box 57 contains slides, while oversized box 58 holds printing plates used for Crossroads publications. Large posters advertising for events such as the Children’s Fair and Spring Festival can be found in Oversized Folders 1 and 2.